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Dedication Ceremony scheduled for late Board Member Alan Melkonian

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August 21, 2013

Through the collaboration of Stoneham Ford, Rotary Club of Stoneham, the Town of Stoneham and StonehamBank, the Steele Playground (behind Stoneham Town Hall) will soon sport some new play equipment. On Town Day 2013, Saturday, September 7 at 10 AM, there will be a special unveiling ceremony at the playground of three pieces of equipment donated in memory of Alan K. Melkonian, well-known Stoneham resident, business owner and generous community advocate.

 

 “Stoneham lost a truly special individual when Alan passed away in June,” says StonehamBank President & CEO Janice T. Houghton of her bank’s former Board member.  “I will always think of him as a fun-loving child at heart, always wanting to do more for the kids and the community. This new equipment is a perfect tribute to Alan.”

 

Mr. Melkonian, the President of Stoneham Ford, was a generous sponsor of any number of programs and non-profit groups in Stoneham, many of those focused on children. He was instrumental in the creation of Kids Korner, the children’s area of Town Day devoted to rides and games.  He took great delight in watching youngsters compete in the pie and ice cream eating contests and toddler games. He provided tents, tables, chairs and prizes as well as volunteers to staff the area, which was adjacent to Steele Playground in the parking lot at Town Hall.

 

When the idea of a memorial was first proposed, notes Houghton, it was suggested that something fun would be the perfect tribute to someone who so clearly cared about Stoneham’s children. Two of the structures will be ride-on spring toys – one a replica of an all-terrain vehicle and one a bull dozer – mini-versions of the real vehicles that Mr. Melkonian enjoyed operating at work and on vacation.  There will also be a new climbing structure in the shape of a large bull dozer, on which youngsters can climb. Funding for the equipment and its installation has been provided by the Directors and employees of StonehamBank, Rotary Club of Stoneham and Stoneham Ford. 

 

All are invited to attend the dedication ceremony, which will begin at 10 AM in Steele Playground.  The equipment unveiling will be immediately followed by a plaque unveiling at the Town Common Bandstand, commemorating Mr. Melkonian’s contributions to the bandstand project and the community of Stoneham.

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